How does weighted GPA work?

Weighted GPA adds bonus points for advanced courses: Honors courses add +0.5 and AP/IB courses add +1.0 to the standard 4.0 grade points. An A in AP = 5.0, A in Honors = 4.5, A in Regular = 4.0 on the 5.0 scale.

Do colleges use weighted or unweighted GPA?

Most selective colleges recalculate GPA to an unweighted 4.0 scale using their own formula. They value course rigor (how many AP/Honors courses you took) alongside the grade you earned.

What is a good weighted GPA?

A 4.0+ weighted GPA is generally considered excellent. Top-ranked colleges typically see applicants with 4.2–4.5+ weighted GPAs. However, unweighted GPA and course difficulty matter more.

Does the NCAA use weighted GPA?

No. NCAA eligibility uses unweighted core-course GPA (minimum 2.3 for Division I). The calculation does not include AP/Honors weighting.

Weighted GPA Calculator

Calculate your weighted GPA on the 5.0 scale using AP, Honors, and IB courses. Compare to unweighted GPA and see how college admission committees view your transcript.

Course 1 Grade

Course 1 Type

Course 2 Grade

Course 2 Type

Course 3 Grade

Course 3 Type

Weighted GPA (5.0 Scale)

—

Unweighted GPA (4.0 Scale) —

Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾

Course 1 Grade

Type

Course 2 Grade

Type

Course 3 Grade

Type

Course 4 Grade

Type

Course 5 Grade

Type

Weighted GPA (5.0 max)

—

Unweighted GPA (4.0 max) —

AP/IB Courses —

Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾

Weighted GPA (5.0 Scale)

Unweighted GPA (4.0 Scale)

AP Exams Passed (score 3+)

IB Diploma Points (if applicable)

Target School Type

GPA Summary

Weighted GPA —

Unweighted GPA —

Credit & Admission

Estimated College Credits from AP —

Admission Context —

Eligibility

NCAA Eligibility Note —

How to Use This Calculator

Select each course grade (A/B/C/D/F).
Select the course type: Regular, Honors, or AP/IB.
The calculator applies standard weighting: Honors +0.5, AP/IB +1.0.
Use the Extended tab for 5-course calculation or state variants.

Formula

Weighted Points = Base Grade Points + Boost (0 Regular / 0.5 Honors / 1.0 AP-IB)
Weighted GPA = Σ Weighted Points / Number of Courses

Example

A in AP (5.0) + A in Regular (4.0) + B in Honors (3.5) = 12.5 / 3 = 4.17 weighted GPA vs 3.67 unweighted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Weighted GPA adds bonus points for advanced courses: Honors courses add +0.5 and AP/IB courses add +1.0 to the standard 4.0 grade points. An A in AP = 5.0, A in Honors = 4.5, A in Regular = 4.0 on the 5.0 scale.
Most selective colleges recalculate GPA to an unweighted 4.0 scale using their own formula. They value course rigor (how many AP/Honors courses you took) alongside the grade you earned.
A 4.0+ weighted GPA is generally considered excellent. Top-ranked colleges typically see applicants with 4.2–4.5+ weighted GPAs. However, unweighted GPA and course difficulty matter more.
No. NCAA eligibility uses unweighted core-course GPA (minimum 2.3 for Division I). The calculation does not include AP/Honors weighting.

Related Calculators

Sources & References (5) ▾

College Board — AP Course and Exam Policy — College Board
IB Organization — Diploma Programme — International Baccalaureate
NACADA — GPA and Academic Standing — NACADA
US News — How Colleges Evaluate GPA — US News
NCAA Eligibility Center — Core GPA Requirements — NCAA